UofG Climate Café
UofG Climate Café
Climate cafés are meeting spaces, often held virtually, that allow community members to come together to chat about their emotions and what the climate crisis means to them, their families, their future, and the world. The purpose of a climate café is to provide a reflective, safe, respectful and private space for people to express their emotional responses to the climate and environmental crisis. Our UofG Climate Cafés allow campus community members (students, staff, faculty and alums) to talk and connect through a facilitated sharing experience- no presentations, guest speakers, or advice given. It is a space to focus solely on your emotions, not what you're doing.
What can participants expect from attending a climate café?
After reviewing some basic community guidelines for the climate café, participants will be led through a guided sharing exercise where they can express their emotions and experiences related to climate change and environmental crises. While everyone is encouraged to share and participate, nobody will be forced or pressured to speak - so we welcome active listeners to attend.
Every climate café will end with an optional art-making or journaling activity after the climate café. Various art supplies for collaging, sketching, and painting will be provided for FREE to participants to use while at the event. Participants are welcome to bring their supplies as well. Free coffee and tea are provided to participants who bring their reusable mugs.
It is important to note that climate cafes are not therapy and that should you want to speak to a counsellor, you can access this through Wellness Services' on-campus or off-campus providers. After each climate cafe, we will review and share resources available on campus to support your mental health and well-being.
Our Facilitators
Natalie Thomas (Evans) (she/her) is an Adjunct faculty member with the Department of Philosophy here on campus and teaches at both the University of Guelph and Guelph-Humber. She is also a practicing psychotherapist (qualifying) with a small private practice specializing in climate-aware therapy, among other mugs.
Samantha Casey (she/her) is the Communications and Engagement Coordinator at the University of Guelph Sustainability Office. Samantha is heavily involved in climate activism and co-founded the Community Climate Council, a youth-founded climate justice organization based in Peel Region, Ontario. Samantha has experience organizing, facilitating, and participating in climate cafes through Our Climate Cafe, a Community Climate Council initiative.
Myah Lewis (she/they) is a Projects Assistant at the University of Guelph Sustainability Office. Myah is heavily involved in leading sustainability initiatives on campus and is passionate about the intersection of climate change and mental health. Myah is finishing their fourth year in Family Relations and Human Development with a minor in Biological Science.
Over the summer, several UofG students and staff were trained in climate café facilitation. We will be expanding our facilitator list to expand our offering to a larger number of attendees. We aim to host another training in November 2023, so please email Samantha at sustainability@uoguelph.ca if you'd like to be added to the list for any upcoming training opportunities.
Upcoming Cafes
Our climate cafés are hosted monthly on the third Saturday of the month.
September
Date: Saturday, September 16th
Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Location: UofG Sustainability Office - Basement of Blackwood Hall (North Entrance) *Note: If the weather is nice, the event will be hosted outside Blackwood Hall on picnic tables near our new UofG Seed Orchard.
Registration: Please email Samantha at sustainability@uoguelph.ca to register to attend September's café. Registered attendees will be sent further information on how to access the office, resources and updates on the event.
October
Date: Saturday, October 21st
Time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Location: UofG Sustainability Office - Basement of Blackwood Hall (North Entrance)
Registration: Please email Samantha at sustainability@uoguelph.ca to register to attend October's café. Registered attendees will be sent further information on how to access the office, resources and updates on the event.
November
Date: Saturday, November 18th
Time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Location: UofG Sustainability Office - Basement of Blackwood Hall (North Entrance)
Registration: Please email Samantha at sustainability@uoguelph.ca to register to attend November's café. Registered attendees will be sent further information on how to access the office, resources and updates on the event.
Want to partner on a climate café?
We welcome student-led and community organizations to partner with us to host one of our monthly climate cafés. A partnership can involve helping promote the event, helping make the opening and closing remarks, or helping lead the art-making activity following the cafe.
To let you know you are interested in partnering, please contact Samantha at sustainability@uoguelph.ca. Be sure to include the event you're interested in partnering on and the club you represent.